Humidifier

ABSTRACT

A humidifier includes a base, a liquid tank detachably connected with the base, an automizer element is arranged at a bottom of the liquid tank; and a circuit board is arranged inside the base. When the liquid tank is connected with the base, the automizer element is electrically connected with the circuit board, and when the liquid tank is separated from the base, the automizer element is disconnected with the circuit board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein generally relates to home appliances, andparticularly relates to a humidifier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Good environment brings benefits to human body and products. People paymore and more attention to the control of environment in workshops,warehouses, offices, and houses. Air humidity is an important factorwhich affect people's life and health. For example, in winter, if theindoor air humidity is too low (for example, not up to a standardhumidity 40%-60% RH, the dry environment will lead to water loss andaccelerate the aging of life. Humidifiers can create ideal indoorhumidity conditions and take care of family's health.

Conventional humidifier includes a liquid tank and a base support theliquid tank. The liquid tank and the base support are connectedintegrally. The base support accommodates electrical elements such asprinted circuit board therein. The integral structure is not convenientfor maintaining the liquid tank or the electrical elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a humidifier with a liquid tankdetachably connected with a base.

A humidifier includes a base, a liquid tank detachably connected withthe base, an automizer element is arranged at a bottom of the liquidtank, and a circuit board is arranged inside the base. When the liquidtank is connected with the base, the automizer element is electricallyconnected with the circuit board, and when the liquid tank is separatedfrom the base, the automizer element is disconnected with the circuitboard.

In at least one embodiment, the base comprises a base body and a basecover connected with the base body to form an accommodating space foraccommodating the circuit board.

In at least one embodiment, the base cover defines a slot, a firstelectrical connecting member extending through the slot to connect theautomizer element.

In at least one embodiment, the first electrical member comprises afirst electrical connecting piece arranged at a side of the base coveraway from the base body and a second electrical connecting pieceelectrically connected with the first electrical connecting piece, thesecond electrical connecting piece extends through the slot so as toconnect the circuit board.

In at least one embodiment, first electrical connecting piece isannular.

In at least one embodiment, the second electrical connecting pieceextends vertically relative to the first electrical connecting piece.

In at least one embodiment, the second electrical connecting piece andthe first electrical connecting piece are integrally formed.

In at least one embodiment, the automizer element is connected at abottom of the liquid tank through a connecting plate, a secondelectrical connecting element arranged on the connecting plateelectrically connected with the automizer element and the firstelectrical connecting element.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid tank comprises a tank body and abottom plate connected at a bottom wall of the tank body, the connectingplate is arranged between the tank body and the bottom plate, a bottomwall of the tank body defines a through hole, the automizer elementextends into the tank body through the through hole.

In at least one embodiment, a waterproof sealing element arranged insidethe through hole surrounds the automizer element and resists against asidewall of the automizer element.

In at least one embodiment, the bottom wall of the tank body is recessedto define a recess facing the connecting plate, when the connectingplate is connected with the tank body, a receiving space is formedbetween the bottom wall of the tank body and the connecting plate forreceiving the connecting plate.

In at least one embodiment, the bottom plate defines a through hole, thesecond electrical connecting element extends through the through hole soas to be capable of being connected with the first electrical connectingelement when the liquid tank is connected with the base.

In at least one embodiment, the second electrical connecting element isa metal pin.

In at least one embodiment, the humidifier further comprising a fanarranged inside the accommodating space, the liquid tank is providedwith a first hollow column with a through hole, the first hollow columncommunicates with the accommodating space through the through hole sothat air flow out from the fan is capable of flowing into the liquidtank through the through hole.

In at least one embodiment, a second hollow column extends from the basecover corresponding to the first hollow column, the second hollow columnis capable of received inside the first hollow column.

In at least one embodiment, a bottom wall of the base body is definedwith an air inlet corresponding to the fan.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid tank further comprises a bafflearranged at an end of the hollow column, a gas channel is definedbetween the baffle and the hollow column.

In at least one embodiment, at least one key is arranged on the basebody and electrically connected with the circuit board.

In at least one embodiment, a sidewall of the tank body is defined withan output hole which is capable of allowing automized liquid flow outfrom the liquid tank.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid tank comprises a tank body and atank cover arranged on the tank body, the tank cover is defined with atleast one output hole which is capable of allowing automized liquid flowout from the liquid tank.

The liquid tank can be detachably connected with the base. It is benefitfor maintaining the liquid tank without worry about damage of thecircuit due to liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present disclosure will now be described, by wayof embodiment, with reference to the attached figures. It should beunderstood, the drawings are shown for illustrative purpose only, forordinary person skilled in the art, other drawings obtained from thesedrawings without paying creative labor by an ordinary person skilled inthe art should be within scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a humidifier according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is schematic view of the humidifier of FIG. 1 in anotherperspective angle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the humidifier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the humidifier of FIG. 1 from anotherperspective angle;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifier of FIG. 1 in a firststate; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifier of FIG. 1 in a secondstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein.However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the exemplary embodiments described herein may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, andcomponents have not been described in detail so as not to obscure therelated relevant feature being described. Also, the description is notto be considered as limiting the scope of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and theproportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustratedetails and features of the present disclosure.

The term “comprising” when utilized, means “including, but notnecessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusionor membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and thelike. The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily tothe same embodiment, and such references can mean “at least one”. Inaddition, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptivepurposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implyingrelative importance or implying the number of indicated technicalfeatures. Thus, the features defined as “first” and “second” mayexplicitly or implicitly include one or more of the said features. Inthe description of embodiments of the invention, “a plurality of” meanstwo or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

The terms “top”, “bottom”, and other indicating directions or positionsare based on the directions or positions shown in the attached drawingsIn order to facilitate the description of the embodiment and simplifythe description of the invention, rather than indicating or implyingthat the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation,be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, it cannot beunderstood as a limitation of the embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the present disclosure providesa humidifier 1. In at least one embodiment, the humidifier 1 may includea base 2, a liquid tank 3 detachably connected with the base 2, anautomizer element 4 is arranged at a bottom of the liquid tank 2; and acircuit board 5 is arranged inside the base 1. When the liquid tank 3 isconnected with the base 2, the automizer element 4 is electricallyconnected with the circuit board 5, and when the liquid tank 3 isseparated from the base 2, the automizer element 4 is disconnected withthe circuit board 5.

The base 2 includes a base body 20 and a base cover 21 connected withthe base body 20 to form an accommodating space 200 (referring to FIG.5) for accommodating the circuit board 5. The base body 20 extends aplurality of first connecting columns 201, and the base cover 21 definesa plurality of first connecting holes 210 corresponding to the firstconnecting columns 201, connecting elements such as screws go throughthe first connecting holes 210 and the first connecting columns 201 toconnect the base body 20 and the base cover 21 tightly. It should beunderstood that, the base body 20 and the base cover 21 can be firmlyconnected by other connecting structures, such as hooks or interferencefit.

In at least one embodiment, the base cover 21 defines at least one slot211, at least one first electrical connecting member 212 extendingthrough the at least one slot 211 respectively to connect the automizerelement 4 with the circuit board 5.

In at least one embodiment, the number of the at least one slot 211 isfour, and the number of the at least one first electrical connectingmember 212 is four accordingly.

In at least one embodiment, the first electrical connecting member 212includes at least one first electrical connecting piece 2120 arranged ata side of the base cover 21 away from the base body 20 and at least onesecond electrical connecting piece 2120 electrically connected with theat least one first electrical connecting piece 2120. The at least onesecond electrical connecting piece 2120 extends through the slot 211 soas to connect the circuit board 5 arranged on the base body 20.

In at least one embodiment, the number of the first electricalconnecting piece 2120 is two, and the number of the at least one secondelectrical connecting piece 2120 is four. Each second electricalconnecting piece 2120 extending through a corresponding slot 211 toconnect the circuit board 5.

In at least one embodiment, the first electrical connecting piece 2120is annular. It should be under stood that the first electricalconnecting piece 2120 can be in any suitable shape, such as rectangularor ellipse or the like.

In at least one embodiment, the second electrical connecting piece 2120extends vertically relative to the first electrical connecting piece2120.

In at least one embodiment, the second electrical connecting piece 2120and the first electrical connecting piece 2120 are integrally formed.

In at least one embodiment, the automizer element 4 is connected at abottom of the liquid tank 3 through a connecting plate 40. A secondelectrical connecting element 41 is arranged on the connecting plate 40and electrically connected with the automizer element 4 and the firstelectrical connecting element 212.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid tank 3 comprises a tank body 30,a bottom plate 31 and a tank cover 32 respectively connected at twoopposite ends of the tank body 30.

The tank body 30 is substantially cylindrical, and includes a bottomwall 300 and a sidewall 301 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 300to form a containing space 3000 for containing liquid, such as water oressential oil or the like. A first hollow column 302 with a firstthrough hole 3020 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 300.

The bottom plate 31 defines a second through hole 310 corresponding tothe first through hole 3020, and the base cover 21 defines a thirdthrough hole 213 corresponding to the second through hole 310 so thatthe accommodating space 200 can communicated with the containing space3000. A fan 202 is arranged inside the accommodating space 200. The fan202 is configured to drive air to flow from the accommodating space 200through the third through hole 213, the second through hole 310 and thefirst through hole 3020 to enter the containing space 3000.

In at least one embodiment, a plurality of third connecting columns 313extends upwardly from the bottom plate 31, a plurality of fourthconnecting columns 304 extending downwardly from the bottom wall 300 ofthe tank body 30 corresponding to the plurality of third connectingcolumns 313 respectively. The tank body 30 can be fixed with the bottomplate 41 by passing connecting elements like screws through theplurality of third connecting columns 313 and the plurality of fourthconnecting columns 304.

The connecting plate 40 is arranged between the tank body 30 and thebottom plate 31. In at least one embodiment, the connecting plate 40defines a plurality of fixing holes 400 thereon, a plurality of fixingpoles 305 extending downwardly the bottom wall 300 corresponding to theplurality of fixing holes 400. The fixing poles 305 can be received inthe fixing holes 400 respectively to fixedly connect the tank body 30with the connecting plate 40. In at least one embodiment, the bottomplate 31 is recessed to form a recess, when the connecting plate 30 isconnected onto the bottom plate 31, a receiving space 314 is definedbetween the bottom plate 31 and the connecting plate 30 (referring toFIG. 5). The connecting plate 40 is arranged inside the receiving space314. Therefore, the connecting plate 40 can be prevent from damage ofliquid or collisions.

The bottom wall 300 of the tank body 39 defines a fourth through hole303, the automizer element 4 extends into the tank body 30 through thefourth through hole 303.

In at least one embodiment, a waterproof sealing element 42 is arrangedinside the through hole. The waterproof sealing element 42 surrounds theautomizer element 4 and resists against a sidewall of the automizerelement 4, so as to prevent liquid in the containing space 3000 fromgoing through the fourth through hole 303 to wet the second electricalconnecting element 41. In at least one embodiment, the waterproofsealing element 42 is rubber ring or silicone ring.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one second electricalconnecting element 41 is connected with the automizer element 4 andextends downwardly from the connecting plate 40. The bottom plate 31defines at least one positioning hole 311 corresponding to the at leastone second electrical connecting element 41. The at least one secondelectrical connecting element 41 can extend through the at least onepositioning hole 311 so as to be capable of being connected with thefirst electrical connecting element 212 when the liquid tank 3 isconnected with the base 2. In at least one embodiment, the number of theat least one second electrical connecting element 41 is two, and eachsecond electrical connecting element 41 corresponds to one of the atleast one first electrical connecting piece 2120.

In at least one embodiment, each second electrical connecting element 41is a metal pin. It should be understood, in other embodiments, thesecond electrical connecting element 41 can be any suitable electricalconnecting elements capable of electrically connecting the firstelectrical connecting elements 212 and the automizer element 4. Forexample, the second electrical connecting element 41 can be electrical aconducting wire or an electrical socket. Accordingly, the firstelectrical connecting elements 212 can be configured corresponding tothe second electrical connecting element 41.

In at least one embodiment, the bottom plate 31 extends a plurality offirst positioning columns 312 away from the tank body 30, the base cover21 extends a plurality of second positioning columns 214 correspondingto the plurality of first connecting columns 312 respectively. Theplurality of second positioning columns 214 can be inserted into theplurality of first positioning columns 312 respectively, so that theliquid tank 3 can be guided to be mounted onto the base 2 in apredetermined direction. It should be understood that, in otherembodiments, the plurality of first positioning columns 312 can beinserted into the plurality of second connecting columns 312.

In at least one embodiment, in order to make the liquid tank 3 steadilymounted onto the base 2, a second hollow column 215 with a fifth throughhole 2150 extends upwardly from the base cover 21 corresponding to thefirst hollow column 302. The second hollow column 215 can be insertedinto the first hollow column 302. The fifth through hole 2150communicates with the third through hole 213 and the first through hole3020.

In at least one embodiment, a bottom wall of the base body 20 is definedwith an air inlet 205 corresponding to the fan. It should be understood,in other embodiments, the air inlet 205 can be arranged at any suitableposition of the base body 20 or the base cover 21, for example, asidewall of the base body 20 or the base cover 21.

In at least one embodiment, the liquid tank 3 further comprises a baffle306 arranged at an end of the first hollow column 302, a gas channel3060 is defined between the baffle 306 and the first hollow column 302(referring to FIG. 5).

In at least one embodiment, at least one key 206 is arranged on the basebody 20 and electrically connected with the circuit board 5 so as tocontrol operations of the humidifier 1.

The tank cover 32 is defined with at least one output hole 320 which iscapable of allowing automized liquid flow out from the liquid tank 2. Itshould be understood, the output hole 320 can be arranged at thesidewall 302 of the tank body 30 or both on the sidewall 302 and thetank cover 32.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the liquid tank 3 is mounted on the base 2,the automizer element 4 extends into the containing space 3000 and thesecond electrical connecting element 41 extending through thepositioning holes 311 to contact the first electrical connecting piece2120 which is electrically connected with the circuit board 5 via thesecond electrical connecting piece 2122. The gas blow out from the fan202 goes through the third through holes 213, the fifth through hole2150, the first through hole 3020 and the gas channel 3060 to enter thecontaining space 3000. The gas flow is annotated as the dashed arrows inFIG. 5. The liquid in the containing space 3000 is automized by theautomizer element 4 and then be pushed out from the containing space3000 by the gas flow via the output hole 320.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the liquid tank 3 is separated from the base2, the bottom plate 31 fixed at the bottom of the tank body 30 isseparated from the base cover 21. Therefore, the second electricalconnecting element 41 arranged on the bottom plate 31 is disconnectedwith the first electrical connecting element 212 arranged on the basecover 21. Accordingly, the automizer element 4 is electricallydisconnected with the circuit board 5. At this time, the liquid tank 3can be easily maintained without worrying about damage of the circuitboard by liquid. For example, the liquid tank 3 can be immersed in waterto clean the liquid tank 3 or to change liquid inside the tank body 30or to fill liquid into the tank body 30.

It is to be understood, even though information and advantages of thepresent exemplary embodiments have been set forth in the foregoingdescription, together with details of the structures and functions ofthe present exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only.Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, andarrangement of parts within the principles of the present exemplaryembodiments to the full extent indicated by the plain meaning of theterms in which the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent, is:
 1. A humidifier, comprising: a base; a liquid tank detachably connected with the base; an automizer element is arranged at a bottom of the liquid tank; and a circuit board is arranged inside the base, wherein when the liquid tank is connected with the base, the automizer element is electrically connected with the circuit board, and when the liquid tank is separated from the base, the automizer element is disconnected with the circuit board.
 2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a base body and a base cover connected with the base body to form an accommodating space for accommodating the circuit board.
 3. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the base cover defines a slot, a first electrical connecting member extending through the slot to connect the automizer element.
 4. The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the first electrical member comprises a first electrical connecting piece arranged at a side of the base cover away from the base body and a second electrical connecting piece electrically connected with the first electrical connecting piece, the second electrical connecting piece extends through the slot so as to connect the circuit board.
 5. The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein first electrical connecting piece is annular.
 6. The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the second electrical connecting piece extends vertically relative to the first electrical connecting piece.
 7. The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the second electrical connecting piece and the first electrical connecting piece are integrally formed.
 8. The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the automizer element is connected at a bottom of the liquid tank through a connecting plate, a second electrical connecting element arranged on the connecting plate electrically connected with the automizer element and the first electrical connecting element.
 9. The humidifier according to claim 8, wherein the liquid tank comprises a tank body and a bottom plate connected at a bottom wall of the tank body, the connecting plate is arranged between the tank body and the bottom plate, a bottom wall of the tank body defines a through hole, the automizer element extends into the tank body through the through hole.
 10. The humidifier according to claim 9, wherein a waterproof sealing element arranged inside the through hole surrounds the automizer element and resists against a sidewall of the automizer element.
 11. The humidifier according to claim 9, wherein the bottom wall of the tank body is recessed to define a recess facing the connecting plate, when the connecting plate is connected with the tank body, a receiving space is formed between the bottom wall of the tank body and the connecting plate for receiving the connecting plate.
 12. The humidifier according to claim 8, wherein the bottom plate defines a through hole, the second electrical connecting element extends through the through hole so as to be capable of being connected with the first electrical connecting element when the liquid tank is connected with the base.
 13. The humidifier according to claim 12, wherein the second electrical connecting element is a metal pin.
 14. The humidifier according to claim 2, further comprising a fan arranged inside the accommodating space, the liquid tank is provided with a first hollow column with a through hole, the first hollow column communicates with the accommodating space through the through hole so that air flow out from the fan is capable of flowing into the liquid tank through the through hole.
 15. The humidifier according to claim 14, wherein a second hollow column extends from the base cover corresponding to the first hollow column, the second hollow column is capable of received inside the first hollow column.
 16. The humidifier according to claim 14, wherein a bottom wall of the base body is defined with an air inlet corresponding to the fan.
 17. The humidifier according to claim 14, wherein the liquid tank further comprises a baffle arranged at an end of the hollow column, a gas channel is defined between the baffle and the hollow column.
 18. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein at least one key is arranged on the base body and electrically connected with the circuit board.
 19. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein a sidewall of the tank body is defined with an output hole which is capable of allowing automized liquid flow out from the liquid tank.
 20. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the liquid tank comprises a tank body and a tank cover arranged on the tank body, the tank cover is defined with at least one output hole which is capable of allowing automized liquid flow out from the liquid tank. 